Cookies

Cookies are small data files that store information in connection with a Web site. For example, a cookie may be created to store the contents of an online shopping basket, or to confirm that you are logged in as you browse the pages of a site. When a cookie is set, the sequence of events is the following:

During first contact, the Web site offers you a cookie for a specific domain. If you accept the cookie, it is saved on your computer.

Every time you make contact with a resource in that domain, the browser sends the cookie.

There is a reason for this rather abstract formulation: the cookie need not originate from the Web site whose address is given in the address field of the browser. For example, the Web site you are visiting may contain an advertisement in the form of an external image, and the site delivering the external image may offer you a cookie. These so-called third-party cookies are frequently used for marketing purposes.

Cookies can be used to construct a profile of your browsing habits, and are therefore regarded by some as a privacy issue.

If no expiration date is assigned to it, a cookie expires at the end of the session, when you exit the browser. A cookie that expires at end of session is called a session cookie.

Cookie preferences

Preferences > Advanced > Cookies

The cookie preferences give you control of Opera's cookie handling. The default setting is to accept all cookies.

Accept cookies

All cookies are accepted (default)

Accept only cookies from the site I visit

Third-party cookies, for a domain outside the one you are visiting, are refused

Never accept cookies

All cookies are refused

Delete new cookies when exiting Opera

Some Web sites require you to accept cookies to use their services.
If you want these sites to work, but you do not want to keep cookies between visits, select "Delete new cookies when exiting Opera".

Ask me before accepting cookies

If you select "Ask me before accepting cookies", the cookie dialogue opens every time a cookie is offered, with information about the cookie's origin and attributes.

Manage Cookies

The cookie manager permits you to inspect and edit the cookies saved by Opera. Press the button marked "Manage Cookies" to reveal a set of folders, each identified with a domain. Use the quick find field to search by domain name, and open the relevant folder to get detailed information about all cookies connected with that domain.

The cookie dialogue

The cookie dialogue opens every time a Web site offers you a cookie, if you have checked the box marked "Ask me before accepting cookies" in Preferences > Advanced > Cookies. The dialogue describes the cookie's origin and attributes, and gives you the opportunity to accept or reject it.

Force deletion when exiting Opera

To change the expiration of the cookie to end of session, select "Force deletion when exiting Opera".

Remember my choice for all cookies for this domain

If you want to accept or reject all cookies with the same domain, select "Remember my choice for all cookies for this domain". The next time a cookie is offered for this domain, the cookie dialogue will not appear.

Cookie details

Cookie attributes are available under the heading "Cookie Details".

Do not ask me about cookies again

If you prefer not to see the cookie dialogue, select "Do not ask me about cookies again". Checking this box is equivalent to unchecking the box marked "Ask me before accepting cookies" in the cookie preferences.

Site-specific cookie preferences

Site-specific cookie preferences may be set by right-clicking the page you are visiting, selecting "Edit Site Preferences" from the menu, and activating the cookie tab. The options are the same as described above for the general cookie preferences.